Predicting Alabama's highest ranked players in EA Sports College Football 25 – WVUA 23

Highly anticipated college football video game is out July 19

By WVUA 23 Digital Reporters Josh Batchelor and Sutton Smith

For the first time in 12 years, college football players have the opportunity to be in a video game. NCAA 14 was the last college football video game to be released, which dates back two gaming systems, for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. EA Sports College Football 25 will be available to the general public on July 19.

Many University of Alabama legends who played between releases missed out on being in the franchise such as Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, DeVonta Smith, Bryce Young and Will Anderson. The 2024-25 Alabama roster alongside 100-plus Division 1 football programs will be included in the game. As part of the new landscape of college athletics, players can opt in to be featured in the game. If they said yes, they get $600 and a copy of the game as part of EA’s massive NIL deal allowing for the game’s release.

WVUA 23 Digital’s Josh Batchelor and Sutton Smith offer their predictions on who will be the top-10 ranked Alabama players in the return of the video game franchise:

Josh’s top 10 predictions

1. OL Tyler Booker (96 Overall)
2. K Graham Nicholson (96 Overall)
3. QB Jalen Milroe (95 Overall)
4. S Malachi Moore (93 Overall)
5. OG Jaeden Roberts (92 Overall)
6. C Parker Brailsford (92 Overall)
7. ILB Deontae Lawson (91 Overall)
8. ILB Jihaad Campbell (90 Overall)
9. DL Tim Keenan III (90 Overall)
10. P James Burnip (90 Overall)

We heavily weighed players’ accolades, upsides and how they square up nationally against the best in college football at their position.

1-3

Tyler Booker has two years of first team experience with the starting offensive line and has been elite since he stepped on campus two years ago. Graham Nicholson is tied for first place, as he is coming off winning the Lou Groza Award for the nation’s top kicker. I expect Booker and Nicholson to be the highest ranked players at their respective positions. Jalen Milroe will be a cheat code in the game, with his top-end speed and arm strength. Milroe will likely be one of the highest ranked quarterbacks in the game alongside Georgia’s Carson Beck and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders.

4-6

Malachi Moore is a returning captain with four years of experience, but is changing positions from nickel corner to safety. Jaeden Roberts was as good, if not better, than Booker and first round pick J.C. Latham last year, but has less than a year of starting experience and isn’t the nationally recognized name that Booker is. Just behind Roberts, I have the man to his left in center Parker Brailsford. Despite being undersized, Brailsford is an experienced starter in the DeBoer system and was part of the All-PAC second team in 2023.

7-10

Deontae Lawson could very well be one of Alabama’s top three highest ranked players, but he has struggled with numerous injuries over his collegiate career. Now in year four, Lawson has shown flashes to be one of college football’s best linebackers. Just one overall lower, I have fellow linebacker Jihaad Campbell, a player who improved as much as any player from his freshman season to his sophomore campaign. He will be one of the game’s most versatile linebackers. Another heavily improved player is Tim Keenan III, who cemented his role as a starter on the defensive line. He is a very competitive and physical defensive lineman, who will have high run-defending stats. Lastly, I have another specialist in James Burnip. In three years at Alabama, Burnip has improved on a yearly basis, recording higher career long and average punts.

Sutton’s top 10 predictions:

1. QB Jalen Milroe (96 Overall)
2. OG Tyler Booker (96 Overall)
3. K Graham Nicholson (94 Overall)
4. S Malachi Moore (92 Overall)
5. ILB Deontae Lawson (91 Overall)
6. C Parker Brailsford (90 Overall)
7. P James Burnip (89 Overall)
8. OG Jaeden Roberts (89 Overall)
9. ILB Jihaad Campbell (87 Overall)
10. WR Germie Bernard (87 Overall)

1-3

Milroe’s athleticism as a runner is unparalleled at the position in college football. His elite arm talent and deep ball accuracy paired with his athleticism makes him an early Heisman contender. Not only is Booker the best returning interior offensive lineman in college football, but he’s also the heart and soul of this Crimson Tide team. His role goes far beyond the left guard position as one of Alabama’s unquestioned leaders in 2024. Alabama replaces its best kicker in program history, Will Reichard, with the man who edged him out for the Lou Groza Award in 2023. Graham Nicholson will likely be the game’s highest ranked kicker coming off a spectacular season at Miami-Ohio.

4-6

Another unquestioned leader of the Crimson Tide, especially in an overhauled secondary unit, is Malachi Moore. His transition from the STAR position to safety is a sign of his versatility and experience as a big-time SEC defensive back. Alabama’s defensive signal caller, Deontae Lawson, dealt with injuries in 2023, preventing him from displaying his full potential. If Lawson can stay healthy, he’ll prove to be one of the best linebackers in college football and a future NFL star. Pro Football Focus (PFF) ranked Brailsford as the No. 3 center based off his 2023 campaign at Washington. Now with Alabama, we’ll see if Brailsford can maintain his dominance against elite SEC defensive line units.

7-10

Alabama arguably has the best kicker and punter in all of college football. Burnip’s progression over the course of his college career is remarkable and will only continue to improve. From third-string right guard to starter within three months in 2023, Jaeden Roberts was the biggest surprise for the Crimson Tide last year. Roberts’ size paired with his skills in pass protection make him a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. Alabama’s interior offensive line trio of Booker, Roberts and Brailsford is the best in all of college football. Alabama also has perhaps the best inside linebacker duo in Campbell and Lawson. Campbell’s athleticism, speed and ability to cover receivers and running backs in the flat forces opposing teams to seek mismatches elsewhere. Alabama got a speedy, instinctive route-runner and safe-handed pass catcher from Washington in Germie Bernard. He will likely be Milroe’s go-to target after sitting behind two 1,000 yard receivers at Washington. With prior experience in DeBoer’s offense, Bernard has an advantage over his fellow wide receivers.